Window control and locking device



Nov. 30,1943. L. w. KENT 2,335,421

WINDOW CONTROL AND LOCKING DEVICE Filed Aug. 31, 1942 Patented Nov. 30, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WINDOW CONTROL AND LOCKING DEVICE LeeW. Kent, Evanston, 111. Application August 31, 1942, Serial'No. 456,761

3 Claims.

In the ordinary types of sash windows, sashes are movable in the window frames and require sash weights, chains or cords and pulleys which are mounted-in box frames with weight pockets, inorder to provide an arrangement whereby the window sashes may be raised and lowered, and be held in open positions of adjustment. These sash weight types of window construction also require a latch mechanism attached to the sash frames for holding the sashes locked in closed position.

In certain types of buildings it is desirable to provide window constructions which are economical in cost, thereby requiring the omission of sash weights and the accompanying mechanisms and construction, andstill provide means for holding the window sashes locked in closed positions or retained in open positions ofadjustment.

The present invention relates to sash type window constructions wherein sash weights, chains or cords and pulleys are eliminated, and wherein the sashes are provided with simple and inexpensive combination window controls and locking devices mounted on the window sashes for coaction with the inner stop strip and the parting strip of the window framework.

It is an object of this invention to provide a window construction wherein the window sashes are adapted to be locked in closed position and held in open positions of adjustment by means of pivotally mounted combination controls and locking devices, one for each of the window sashes.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a window sash lock and holder having a plurality of eccentrically positioned mounting apertures therein permitting the same type of control device to be used on either an upper or lower window sash to hold a window sash locked in closed position or retained in an open position.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a combination window control and locking device of one-piece construction including an eccentric mounting opening for securing the device by means of a mounting screw to the inner face of a window sash for co-action with a window frame strip to either hold the sash locked in a closed position or set in an open position.

It is furthermore an object of this invention to provide a window with an eccentrically mounted simple and inexpensive one-pi ce sash control, pivotally supported on a sash for co-action with the window fram to hold the sash braced to obviate rattling and also eifectively holding the sash either locked in a closed position or' set in a predetermined open position.

It is an important object of this invention to provide an improved, simplified and inexpensive type of a combination window control and locking device of one-piece construction, including a gripping flange at one end of an eccentrically mounted body portion, and including an extra eccentric opening whereby the device may be used on either an upper or a lower sash to serve both as a lock and as a retainer for a window sash.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the specification and the accompanying drawmg.

The invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawing and hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an improved combination window control and locking device embodying the principles of this invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view 01 a window casing including a pair of sashes each equipped with a combination window con trol and locking device, co-acting with a window frame strip for holding the window sash in an open position of adjustment.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the window frame construction showing the window sashes in closed positions with the upper sash locked against downward movement by a combination control and locking device co-acting with the parting strip of the window frame, while the lower sash is held in locked closed position by means of a combination control and locking device which has been rotated from the position illustrated in Figure 2 into an upwardly inclined position to co-act with the inner stop strip of the window frame to lock the lower sash against elevation.

Figure 4. is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the upper corner of the upper win dow sash showing a combination control and locking device enlarged with the gripping and locking flange having the upper edge thereof in gripping relation with the window frame parting strip to prevent downward movement of the upper window sash.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational View of the lower right-hand corner of the lower window sash havingmounted thereon a combination control. and .lockingdevice ofsub,

stantially normal size shown in elevation with the upper edge of the flange portion in gripping relation with the inner stop strip of the window frame indicating a holding position for holding the lower sash in an open set position of adjustment (as shown in Figure 2), said combination control and locking device being shown in dotted lines rotated from the full line position into an upwardly inclined position permitting the lower edge of the flange to grip the window frame inner stop strip to lock the lower sash in its closed position.

As shown in the drawing:

The improved combination window sash control and locking device is preferably of one-piece or unitary construction and is made out of cold rolled steel which is fully alloy zinc electroplated. The sash control or device comprises a flat body strip I one end of which is cut or shaped to provide an integral finger piece or handle 2. The opposite end of the body strip 1 is deflected or bent over along an arcuate line or fold 3 extending diagonally across the body strip to form a looking or latching flange 4 of concave-convex shape having a long edge 5 and an opposite shorter edge 6.

The body portion of the control device is provided with two eccentric openings '5 and 8 located along the center line of the body strip I. The mounting aperture l is nearest the flange 4, while the aperture 8 is nearer the handle or finger piece 2. This arrangement of providing the two eccentric openings provides a means whereby only a single type of construction of the control device is necessary to adapt the device for use on either the upper window sash 9 or a lower window sash it by means of a mounting screw H. V

The window sashes 9 and ID are slidably mounted in a window casement or frame I2 of the ordinary plain plank type in which no box frame unit with weight pockets is required. The lower window sash NJ is slidably mounted in the window frame between an inner stop or retainer strip 13 and a parting bead or strip it. The upper window sash 9 is slidably mounted in the upper outer portion of the window frame between the parting bead or strip 14 and an outer stop or retaining strip l5.

For a single window of the ordinary two sash construction only two combination sash controls and fasteners are required, one for the upper sash and one for the lower sash.

The control device for the upper sash 9 is mounted by means of a screw II which is projected through the aperture or opening l and is screwed into the inner face of the upper righthand corner of the upper sash in position so that the upper edge 5 of the looking or holding flange is in contact with the face of the parting bead or strip l4 leaving the longer handle end of the device projecting upwardly at an inclined position, as illustrated in Figure 4. The handle end of the device being heavier than the flange end, is acted upon by gravity to cause the gripping edge 5 of the flange 4 to have a tendency to be moved upwardly into tighter gripping engagement with the parting bead or strip i i when the upper sash 9 is in closed position, as illustrated in Figure 3, to hold the upper sash locked against downward movement. From the locked closed position of the upper sash, as illustrated in Figure 3, the upper sash mas be lowered into a lower ventilating position such as shown in Figure 2 by simply swinging the long handle end 2 of the device, shown in Figure 3, upwardly to release the gripping flange thereby permitting the upper sash to be lowered into a selected open position. The heavy handle end of the locking device or control is acted on by gravity to swing it downwardly thereby swinging the flange end of the device outwardly and upwardly into gripping or latching engagement with th parting bead or strip It, as shown in Figure 2, to hold the upper sash in a predetermined open position. When the upper sash is in a set open position, as shown in Figure 2, the sash may of course be pushed upwardly since the upward movement of the upper sash tends to release the gripping flange which will again move into a gripping position when the upward movement of the upper sash is stopped. It will accordingly be noted that the control device for the upper window sash 9 acts as a means for locking the upper sash in a closed position, and also serves as a retaining device for holding the upper sash in an open position in the window frame.

In mounting the upper window sash control device the screw l I projecting through the opening 1 must be located so that the upper sash is pressed firmly against the opposite jamb. In mounting the upper sash control device the screw II is first firmly tightened in place to insure proper mounting of the control device after which the screw is turned to loosen the same enough to permit the control device to work by the action of gravity.

The control and locking device for the lower window sash H3 is mounted on the inner face of the lower right-hand corner of the window sash if] by means of a mounting screw H which is projected through the opening 8 so that the flanged end of the device is longer and heavier than the handle end. The screw 1 l for the lower control device is located to properly engage the lower sash when the same is pressed firmly against the opposite jamb. The screw II is first tightened in place with the latching edge 5 of the flange 4 properly engaging the face of the inner retaining or stop strip l3 as illustrated in full lines in Figure 5. After the controlling device has been properly mounted the screw II is loosened enough to permit the control device to work freely by the action of gravity, when the lower control device is in either the position illustrated in Figure 3 or in the dotted line looking position illustrated in Figure 5 for holding the lower sash l0 locked against movement in its lowermost or closed position in the window frame. When the control device on the lower sash is in the position shown in Figure 3 any tendency to raise the lower sash is prevented by the movement of the long flanged end of the control device downwardly into tighter gripping relationship with the inner stop or retaining strip I3 due to the action of gravity on the long heavier end of the control device.

When the lower control device is to be used as a means for holding the lower sash it against rattling in a set open position, the device is rotated from the dotted line position shown in Figure 5 into the full line position with the longer heavier end of the device pointing downwardly so that the lower sash may be raised into an open position as shown in Figure 2. When the desired opening of the lower sash is reached, it is only necessary to pull downwardly on the handle 2 of the device to move the gripping edge 5 of the flange 4 upwardly into tight engagement with the face of the inner retaining strip l 3 to hold the lower window sash latched in the open position due to the tendency of the weight of the lower sash causing it to try to move down and thereby causing the flange end of the control device to press or wedge more tightly against the retain ing strip to not only hold the sash in a set open position but to also prevent rattling of the lower sash.

It will thus be noted that the combination sash control and locking device is a simple one-piece construction and by providing the same with the two ofiset or eccentric openings, the device may be used on either an upper window sash or on a lower window sash by using the proper opening for pivotally mounting the device. The device when used in connection with an upper window sash and when used as a locking means for a lower window sash as shown in the lower portion of Figure 3 is gravity acting. When the device is used on the lower sash It! as a means for holding the lower sash I0 is an open position the flanged gripping end of the device is moved into gripping position by manually swinging the handle 2 of the device downwardly thereby swinging the gripping flange upwardly into engagement with the inner retaining strip or stop 13. By making the gripping flange concavo-convex, and formed diagonally of the body strip, a gripping edge is provided for the control device rather than a flat gripping surface thereby making the device more effective to serve both as a sash control and as a sash lock.

It will, of course, be understood that details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A window sash control adapted to be pivoted to a face of a window sash to co-act with a window frame strip, said control comprising a flat metallic body strip having a pair of eccentrically positioned openings therein to receive a mounting screw through either one thereof to adapt the control for use on both an upper and lower window sash and make the control operable by the action of gravity, a handle formed on one end of the body strip, and a lockin and holding flange integrally formed on the opposite end portion of and equal in width to that portion of the body strip along a line extending across the body strip and diagonally disposed with respect to the longitudinal edges of said body strip.

2. A window sash control for eccentric pivotal mounting on a window sash for co-action with a window sash retaining strip, said control comprising a flat metal body strip having parallel longitudinal edges and also having eccentric openings therein for receiving a mounting screw through a selected one of the openings to adapt the control for use as a control on both the upper and lower sashes of the window, a handle formed on one end of the body strip, and a concavo-convex gripping flange of the width of the body strip integrally formed across the opposite end of the body strip and diagonally disposed with respect to the parallel edges of the body strip, said flange including gripping edges one of which is adapted to grip a window sash retaining strip to hold the sash braced against rattling and also secured in a predetermined set position in the window frame.

3. An article of manufacture of the character described, comprising a flat apertured body portion having parallel longitudinal edges and shaped at one end to form a handle and having formed on the opposite end along a curved dia onal line with respect to said edges a locking and holding flange equal to the width Of the body portion and having two parallel gripping edges of difierent lengths with the longer edge adapted to serve as a combination locking and holding edge for an upper window sash and as a holding edge only for a lower window sash, said shorter flange edge adapted to serve as a locking edge only for locking a lower sash when in closed position in a window frame.

LEE W. KENT. 

